YSB Volunteer Opportunities
Community Advocate Volunteer, Community Justice Program:
Community Advocate Volunteers serve on a Community Panel and talk with first time offenders about what the juvenile did and how it impacts the victim, the juvenile, and the community. Our main goal through this program is to help the juvenile recognize that their actions can hurt many people and have a high cost to the community. We hope that once adolescents understand this, they will not commit additional crimes. Positions available for adults. Orientation and training provided.
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Parent Advocate Volunteer, Community Justice Program:
Parent Advocate Volunteers facilitate a one-hour session aimed at helping parents share ideas and support each other during a challenging time for both parents and adolescents. Volunteers will also talk to parents about asset building. By building assets in youth, they are much less likely to participate in high-risk behaviors such as chemical use, violence, and skipping school. Positions available for adults. Orientation and training provided.
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Peer Group Facilitator Volunteer, Community Justice Program:
Meet with a small group (4-8) of youth who are participating in Peer Groups as part of the Community Justice Program. Lead them through activities and discussions on a variety of topics relevant to teens including: communication, girls’ issues, chemical issues, life skills, and peaceful alternatives to conflict. Flexible schedule in afternoons/evenings one or more days per month.
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Follow Up Specialist Volunteer, Community Justice Program:
From the YSB office, make phone calls to youth and their parents to review their status in the Community Justice Program, get them signed up for classes, panels, or community work service. Volunteers will also contact past Community Justice participants to check in with them on how they are doing and offer any additional services as needed. Flexible schedule in afternoons/evenings one or more days per month.
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Peace Garden Volunteer:
In recognition of our 25th anniversary in 2001, YSB staff and volunteers developed a Peace Garden in the front yard of the Forest Lake office. Youth and adult volunteers are needed to work with YSB staff and a University of Minnesota Certified Master Gardener to further develop and maintain the Peace Garden. No green thumb or gardening knowledge required! Positions available for youth and adults. Flexible schedule.
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Office Assistant Volunteer:
Organize, copy, collate, prepare mailings, etc. YSB staff occasionally needs some extra sets of hands to work with various projects in the YSB office. Positions available for youth and adults. Flexible schedule.
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Prevention Adult Volunteer Opportunities:
Adult volunteers are needed to help with the Girls Program Planning Initiative Committee.
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Support the YSB with a financial contribution! Click here
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Application Process: Click here for YSB Volunteer Application!
The Youth Service Bureau believes that volunteers are a very important part of our programs. Because of this, an application process has been developed for all potential volunteers.
The first step in the application process is for you to fill out a volunteer application and return it to:
Amy O'Neil
Youth Service Bureau
244 North Lake Street
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Upon receipt of your application, we will be contacting your references by mail and then we will be contacting you to set up an interview. This process will help to ensure that the volunteer placement is a good match for both you and the Youth Service Bureau.
The work that YSB volunteers do with children and teenagers is vitally important to the success of the Youth Service Bureau’s programs. It is also incredibly important for the YSB to protect the children and teens that we serve. In order for us to continue having volunteers work closely with youth, our insurance company requires that all YSB volunteers have a current background check through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions (BCA).
If you have any questions about the YSB or volunteer opportunities please contact Amy O'Neil at the Forest Lake office at 651-464-3685 or via e-mail at Amy.O'Neil@ysblakesarea.org. Thanks again for your interest in helping our community’s kids!!